SNOWSTORMS swept the region as winter once again tightened its icy grip on the north west.

Motorists in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and Derbyshire were all affected by sudden blizzards blown in from the continent.

There were many minor accidents on the roads as temperatures plunged, though there were no serious casualties as a result of snow, thanks to gritters doing their work on the major routes.

The heavy snowfall caused significant delays on motorways, including the M62, between Manchester and Leeds, the M65, near Blackburn, and the M53 on Merseyside.

Poor conditions prompted police to urge drivers to avoid unnecessary journeys. Officers put up warning signs on the A537 Cat and Fiddle route between Macclesfield and Buxton and on the A57 Snake Pass which runs across the Pennines to Sheffield.

Cold winds

The bad weather was caused by cold winds blown from France hitting rainclouds over the region.

The worst of the weather had died out by late yesterday afternoon and though it will remain cold and windy over the next few days, only the hills and other higher parts of the region are likely to see more snow.

A spokesman for the Met Office, said: "The worst of the snow has gone, but the weather is likely to remain cold and windy.

"Things are not going to get any warmer, conditions are going to remain cold and windy though it should be dry."

Weather forecaster Suzanne Charlton is to return to television after a seven-year absence. Urmston-born Suzanne, daughter of Manchester United's Sir Bobby, is retraining for appearances on the BBC News 24 digital channel.